Terms and Conditions for 36 Hertz Mastering
These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by 36 Hertz Mastering, including audio mastering, mixing, lathe-cut vinyl, dubplate, and batch-cut vinyl production. By placing an order or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.
Mastering Services
We aim for complete customer satisfaction on all mastering orders and will work on your file until you are fully satisfied with the final result. Amendments will only be made to the originally submitted file. Customers are responsible for ensuring that all files supplied are final and exactly as intended before submission. If you wish to make changes to your original file after work has begun, these will be treated as a new order and charged at our standard rates.
If you would like amendments to your mastered file after delivery, please contact us by email with your request. We will make every effort to complete revisions promptly. Re-submission of pre-masters is not accepted as part of the satisfaction guarantee. Any remastering of revised or corrected files will be charged at our standard rates.
If you discover an error in your original pre-master after mastering has been completed, you will be responsible for the cost of any new work required.
Mixing Services
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all mixing projects. We will continue to work with you until you are happy with the result. Customers may request changes or substitute stems during the project before mastering begins. Once mastering has commenced, further stem changes are considered new work and will be charged accordingly.
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that all stems supplied are correct and final before submission. We reserve the right to refuse stem resubmission once a project has started. For mix and master packages, we will always ensure you are satisfied with the mix before mastering begins.
Once a mixdown project is underway, amendments apply only to the existing project. If entirely new stems are submitted, a new project fee of £10 will apply to swap stems and create a new project.
Refunds, Remasters and Mistakes
Customers must ensure that all files submitted for mastering or mixing are free from faults or defects. We assume that submitted files are of acceptable quality for mastering. We do not offer refunds or free remastering of material where issues originate from the customer’s supplied files.
If a customer discovers an issue within the original track or stems after we have completed work, this will not be the responsibility of 36 Hertz Mastering. Any additional work requested will be charged at our standard rate.
Once work has begun on supplied material, refunds will not be issued. Refunds are not available for completed works. If a file cannot be processed due to quality problems, we will discuss options for resubmission; however, no refunds will be provided once work has commenced.
We do not offer refunds in the event that a customer changes their mind or wishes to alter the submitted tracks after work has started. Any substitutions or resubmissions of tracks before mastering may incur additional charges.
All mastered and/or mixed material is stored for one month from the date of delivery. After this period, files are deleted from our systems. Any requests after deletion will be treated as new projects and charged at standard rates.
In all circumstances, no refunds are offered for completed works. Where a customer is not fully satisfied, we will continue to amend the material until the customer is happy. By placing an order, customers acknowledge that 36 Hertz Mastering does not issue refunds for work carried out on supplied material.
36 Hertz Mastering accepts no responsibility for delays or timescale issues. It is the customer’s responsibility to plan a suitable timeframe for mastering and any subsequent amendments.
Lathe Cut Vinyl and Dubplates
All lathe-cut vinyl produced at 36 Hertz Mastering is playback-checked from start to finish to ensure quality. Each disc is cut and tested using a Technics 1200 turntable with an Ortofon Concorde stylus, set to a tonearm weight of 1.75 grams. We recommend this same setting for playback. Damage caused by incorrect stylus use or poor playback equipment is not our responsibility.
Spherical styli are not recommended for lathe-cut playback as they can damage grooves. Only elliptical styli should be used. The customer is responsible for ensuring proper playback equipment.
We cut from the audio provided; any errors or issues within the source material are the customer’s responsibility. Lathe-cut records may contain minor surface noise due to the production process. This is normal and unavoidable. Claims relating to surface noise will not be accepted.
We accept no responsibility for wrong or faulty files supplied for cutting. If the incorrect files are sent, new cuts must be purchased. The same applies to errors or glitches present in the customer’s audio.
Label artwork is printed exactly as supplied. It is the customer’s responsibility to check all label designs and proofs. If “no labels” is not selected at checkout, records will be supplied with our standard house label. No recuts will be issued where this option was not specified.
Promotions on Lathe-Cut Vinyl and Dubplates
Promotional discounts for any lathe-cut products cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Reduced prices on individual cuts cannot be combined with batch-cut pricing. Promotions are time-limited and may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of 36 Hertz Mastering. All promotions are subject to stock availability.
Batch Cut Vinyl Orders
To avoid confusion and maintain transparency, these terms apply to all batch-cut vinyl orders. By placing an order, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted these terms before making payment. Customer satisfaction is a priority, and all batch-cut vinyl is thoroughly checked before dispatch.
Batch-cut orders include the specified quantity of records, full-colour label artwork (supplied by the customer using our template), white card sleeves, resealable clear plastic outer sleeves, vinyl mastering, and run-out etching. Postage is included where applicable; otherwise, it will be charged separately in line with our shipping policy.
Turnaround Time
Timescales are NOT approximate. Estimated turnaround is typically within two weeks of receiving payment, but this is not guaranteed. Timescales may vary due to technical issues, maintenance, or supply delays. All quoted times are estimates only.
Postage and Delivery
Orders are shipped to the address provided by the customer and confirmed before dispatch. We do not split shipments or ship to multiple addresses. Customers must inspect packages upon delivery and retain packaging until confirming the contents are undamaged. Any damage must be supported by photographic evidence to enable an insurance claim. Without proof of damage, no claim can be made, and recutting will be at the customer’s cost.
If damage occurs during onward shipping to your customers, recuts will also be at your expense. Proper packaging and insurance are the customer’s responsibility. We advise against shipping records during extreme heat and recommend using two cardboard stiffeners for protection.
Recut Policy
Playback issues reported by customers’ buyers will be recut at the customer’s cost unless 36 Hertz Mastering is proven to be at fault. Evidence, including video and return of the affected records, is required for inspection. If our fault is confirmed, we will provide recuts at our expense. Playback problems caused by incorrect turntable setup or excessive stylus pressure are not covered.
Every record we ship has been play-tested from start to finish during the cutting process to ensure there are no skips, jumps, or defects. Customers must check records before distributing them to their own buyers. Only returned items verified as faulty by us will be recut. Refunds are not offered for batch-cut orders.
Labels
All artwork must be supplied correctly formatted and proofed. We accept no liability for spelling mistakes or errors in the customer’s label artwork. Replacement labels can be provided at the customer’s cost.
Audio and Mastering Files
We cut what you provide. Customers must verify their audio files before submission. If incorrect or faulty files are supplied, the resulting records will reflect that error and must be repurchased. Vinyl masters used in the cutting process differ from digital masters; we do not provide copies of these masters or return digital files. All project files are stored for one year and then deleted.
Run-Out Etching
Run-out etching will include only the catalogue number of the track(s). We do not add personal messages or custom inscriptions. Our identifier “VAP36” is included on all cuts and cannot be removed.
General Terms of Website Use
The content of this website is for general information only and may change without notice. We make no warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information provided. You acknowledge that such information may contain errors, and we expressly exclude liability for any inaccuracies to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Use of information or materials on this website is at your own risk. It is your responsibility to ensure that products, services, or information obtained through this site meet your specific requirements.
All material on this website is owned or licensed by us, including design, layout, appearance, and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited except in accordance with the copyright notice. Trademarks reproduced on this website that are not owned by or licensed to 36 Hertz Mastering are acknowledged accordingly.
Unauthorised use of this website may result in a claim for damages or constitute a criminal offence. This includes the unlawful distribution of any products or files purchased through this site.
From time to time, this website may include links to external websites for informational purposes. These links do not signify endorsement, and we accept no responsibility for the content of third-party sites.
Your use of this website and any dispute arising from it shall be governed by the laws of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Privacy Policy
We respect your privacy and handle all customer information in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Any personal data collected through this website, including names, email addresses, and payment details, is used solely to process your order and communicate with you about your purchase.
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with any third parties, except where required to complete your transaction (for example, payment processors or postal services). These third parties are subject to confidentiality and data protection obligations.
Customer files submitted for mastering, mixing, or vinyl cutting are treated as confidential and are not shared or disclosed. Once final masters have been confirmed received, your audio files are deleted from our systems in line with our data retention policy.
You have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting us directly. If you believe your data has been handled improperly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
By using this website or placing an order, you consent to the collection and processing of your data as described in this Privacy Policy.
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